Wisconsin Grabs Coal Ash Oversight from EPA

2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”

The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.

2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines

Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.

2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans

The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!

2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems

The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!

2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance

The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.

2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review

The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.

Previous: 2026-18531, Modernization of Regulations Under 9 CFR Parts 101-118 and 123-124

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proffers this Request for Information (RFI) to solicit the public's input on regulatory considerations related to 9 CFR parts 101-118, 123-124. The regulations are issued primarily pursuant to Section 154 of the Virus- Serum-Toxin Act (VSTA). USDA intends to evaluate each part and subpart for its effectiveness at upholding the VSTA's statutory mandate to prohibit the preparation, sale, barter, or exchange of "worthless, contaminated, dangerous, or harmful" viruses, serums, toxins, or analogous products intended for the use in the treatment of domestic animals, i.e., all animals, other than man, including poultry. The current regulations reflect decades of incremental amendments, technical updates, and revisions adopted at different points in time to address specific scientific, operational, and/or programmatic needs; in recent history, USDA has not holistically reformed the regulations implementing the VSTA. Comprehensive modernization of the regulations will ensure that the framework remains coherent, consistent, and responsive to contemporary technologies, innovation, and practices while continuing to fulfill the statutory requirements of the VSTA.

Next: 2026-18574, Information Reporting Regarding Qualified Opportunity Zones and Updated Qualified Opportunity Fund Certification and Decertification Procedures

This document contains proposed regulations that would implement new statutory requirements for qualified opportunity funds to file information returns with the IRS and furnish statements to investors who dispose of investments in those entities and for qualified opportunity zone businesses to furnish statements to qualified opportunity funds that hold interests in them. These proposed regulations would also clarify the applicability of penalties for the failure to file or furnish these information returns and statements. Finally, these proposed regulations would clarify the qualified opportunity fund self-certification rules and provide procedures for qualified opportunity funds to revoke inadvertent certifications or voluntarily decertify.